FACTOID # 10: Indians go out to the movies 3 billion times a year - much more than any other nation.
 
 Home   Encyclopedia   Statistics   Countries A-Z   Flags   Maps   Education   Forum   FAQ   About 
 
WHAT'S NEW
RECENT ARTICLES
More Recent Articles »
 

FACTS & STATISTICS    Simple view

  1. Select countries to view: (hold down Control key and click to select several)

     

     

    Compare:

     

     

  1. Select fact or statistic: (* = graphable)

     

     

     

  2. (OPTIONAL) Compare to statistic: (both need to be graphable)

     

     

     

  3. View result as:

     

       
(OR) SEARCH ALL encyclopedia, stats & forums:   

Encyclopedia > Roopkund

Roopkund is a place in Uttaranchal India, the location of about three to six hundred skeletons at the edge of a lake—Skeleton Lake in the Himalayas. The location is uninhabited and is located at an altitude of about 5,029 metres. The skeletons were discovered in the 1942 when stumbled upon by a park ranger. At that time it was believed that the people died from an epidemic, landslides or a blizzard. The carbon dating from samples collected at that time in the 1960s vaguely indicated that the people were from the 12th century to the 15th century. Uttaranchal   (Hindi: उत्तरांचल) became the 27th state of the Republic of India on November 9, 2000. ... A human skeleton - (endoskeleton) In biology, the skeleton or skeletal system is the biological system providing physical support in living organisms. ... The article refers to the Skeleton Lake in India. ... Perspective view of the Himalaya and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-south-east from over the Tibetan Plateau. ... 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... In epidemiology, an epidemic (from Greek epi- upon + demos people) is a disease that appears as new cases in a given human population, during a given period, at a rate that substantially exceeds what is expected, based on recent experience (the number of new cases in the population during a... Landslide of soil and regolith in Pakistan A landslide is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows. ... Look up Blizzard in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ...

Image:Roopkund3.jpg
Shallow Lake at Roopkund

In 2004 a team of Indian and European scientists set off to the location to gain more information on the skeletons. Braving bitter cold weather and thin air, the team uncovered vital clues including jewellery, skulls, bones and a preserved body. 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


DNA tests on the bodies revealed that there were two groups of people, a short group (probably local porters) and a taller group who were closely related. Though the numbers were not ascertained, it is believed that three to six hundred people perished. Radio carbon dating of the bones also accurately pinpointed the time period to be in the 9th century predating the earlier inaccurate tests. Genetic fingerprinting or DNA testing is a technique to distinguish between individuals of the same species using only samples of their DNA. Its invention by Sir Alec Jeffreys at the University of Leicester was announced in 1985. ... As a means of recording the passage of time the 9th century was that century that lasted from 801 to 900. ...


After studying fractures in the skulls, the scientists in Hyderabad and London determined that the people died not of disease but of a sudden hailstorm. The hail sizes were as large as cricket balls and with no shelter in the open Himalayas all of them perished. Furthermore with the rarefied air and icy conditions, many bodies were well preserved. With landslides in the area, some of the bodies made their way into the lake. What is not determined was where the group was headed to. There is no historical evidence of any trade routes to Tibet in the area or any places of pilgrimage. National Geographic Channel is the first to learn about the latest findings on the Roopkund Lake tragedy in a documentary titled Skeleton Lake. The documentary reveals the secret behind the lake’s mass grave in Uttaranchal, based on the latest anthropological and medical evidences that has been unearthed. The film claims to have finally solved a riddle that had haunted many experts for over 60 years. The Roopkund riddle started in 1942, when a forest ranger accidentally unearthed a mass grave in Roopkund Lake. Hyderabad or Haydarābād (Telugu: హైదరాబాదు Urdu: حیدر آباد ) is the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. ... full of cockneys. ... Hailstorm A hailstorm is a meteorological event, being a storm in which a large amount of hail falls. ... For the insect, see Cricket (insect). ... Perspective view of the Himalaya and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-south-east from over the Tibetan Plateau. ... This article is becoming very long. ... The National Geographic Channel is a subscription television network that features documentaries produced by the National Geographic Society. ... The article refers to the Skeleton Lake in India. ...


Tourism

Image:Trek-route.jpg
Roopkund Map

Roopkund is a picturesque and beautiful tourist destination, located near the base of two Himalayan peaks: Trisul (7120 meters) and Nandghungti (6310 meters). This place is famous and well-known among the masses because of the annual Raj Jat yatra. There are no roads to this place yet, so one has to undertake a 3-4 day trek to reach the skeleton lake. The skeleton lake is covered with ice for most of the time during the year. However, the journey to Roopkund is an enjoyable experience. All along the way one is surrounded by mountain ranges from all the sides.


There are different routes for a trek to Roopkund. Generally, trekkers and adventurers travel till Lohajung or Wan by road. From there they climb a hillock at Wan and reach Ran ki Dhar. There is some flat area where trekkers can camp for the night. If the sky is clear one can see Bedni Bugyal and Trisul. The next camping spot is at Bedni Bugyal which is 12-13 kms from Wan. There is a huge grazing ground for mules, horses and sheeps. There are two temples and a small lake that add to the beauty of this place. One can see a lot of Himalayan peaks from Bedni Bugyal. Trekkers then go upto Bhaguwabasa which is 10-11 kms from Bedni Bugyal. The climate at Bhaguwabasa is hostile for most of the time of the year. One gets a closer view of Trisul and other 5000+ meters peaks. Many waterfalls and landslides are visible on the extreme slopes of the surrounding mountains. From Bhaguwabasa trekkers either go to Roopkund and come back or they go to Shila Samundra (Ocean of Mountains) and then proceed with trek upto Homkund.


At Roopkund, one can find a frozen lake during September. Most people get sun burns. One can see the clouds below and a clear sky above. One has to walk through a snow covered, slippery ridge to reach Zohra Gully. An unobstructed view of Trisul and Nand Ghungti awaits you there.


IBN 7 - the first news channel & Nitish - the first Correspondent to reach Roopkund


The Roopkund riddle, dating back to the 9th century AD, might have perplexed scientists, historians and mountaineers from around the world for many years but not the young and determined members of the IBN7 team comprising of Correspondent Nitish Kumar, Cameraman Naseem Anwar Khan and Gopal Dutt Sharma.


With their undaunted spirits to unravel the mystery behind mysterious skeleton lake, the team trekked to the remote region of Roopkund - the mysterious lake located at the height of 5,029 ms from the sea level.


http://www.indiantelevision.com/release/y2k6/nov/novrel59.htm


External links

  • [1]
  • [2]
  • [3]
  • [4]
          Waters of South Asia          
Inland Indus | Ganges | Yamuna | Chenab | Jhelum | Brahmaputra | Godavari | Narmada | Tapti | Ravi | Beas | Sutlej | Dudh Kosi | Padma | Sarasvati | Krishna | Kaveri | Meghna | Mahanadi | Son | Ghaghara | Betwa | Chambal | Koshi | Sapt Koshi | Tamur | Mo Chhu | Sankosh | Drangme Chhu | Ganga basin | Ganges Delta | Indus Delta | Dal Lake | Pookode Lake | Skeleton Lake | Chilika Lake | Lake Powai | Borith Lake | Saiful Muluk | Gosaikunda | Nizam Sagar | Red Hills Lake | Malampuzha | Kerala Backwaters
Off the Coast Indian Ocean | Arabian Sea | Laccadive Sea | Bay of Bengal | Gulf of Kutch | Gulf of Khambhat | Palk Bay | Gulf of Mannar
Main Reservoirs and dams in India | Lakes of India | Rivers of India | Lakes of Pakistan | Rivers of Pakistan | Rivers of Bangladesh | Rivers of Bhutan | Lakes of Nepal | Rivers of Nepal

  Results from FactBites:
 
Indiantelevision.com > News Releases >IBN 7 the first news channel to reach Roopkund (298 words)
In an attempt to unravel and understand the enigma that is this lake, the IBN 7 team trekked to the remote region of Roopkund in Uttranchal.
“Roopkund was an endeavor undertaken by the IBN 7 team to bring to light the mystery behind the lake.
Roopkund is popularly known as the Mystery Lake because of the mystery surrounding the findings of the human skeletons.
Roopkund High Altitude lake (4904 words)
Roopkund lake is situated at an altitude of 5029m in the interior of the Chamoli district, Roopkund is famous for the mysterious shallow lake of about 2 m., with the edges covered with snow almost throughout the year.
Roopkund and Homkund : Route is from Gowaldam to Roopkund.
Roopkund is an oval shaped lake situated at an altitude of 5029 m and 4 km from Bagooabasa.
  More results at FactBites »


 

COMMENTARY     


Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here
Your name
Your comments
Please enter the 5-letter protection code

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 


Lesson Plans | Student Area | Student FAQ | Reviews | Press Releases |  Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms.